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Sahayak

Read this before you sign anything

Most tenants understand half the document. Ten clauses, plain words, five minutes.

Clause by clause, in plain words

  1. 1

    Parties & property

    Full legal names, IDs, and the exact flat address with floor/area. If the signer isn't the owner, ask for the owner's authorization or power of attorney — never sign with a 'friend of the owner' on verbal assurance.

  2. 2

    Term: why 11 months?

    Under Section 17(1)(d) Registration Act, leases exceeding one year MUST be registered. The 11-month format stays under this bar in most states — but Maharashtra requires sub-registrar registration at ANY term (Rajasthan: Rent Authority registration instead). Registration always beats notarization in court.

  3. 3

    Lock-in period

    Minimum stay both sides commit to (commonly 6–11 months). Leaving inside lock-in usually costs the deposit or remaining lock-in rent. Make sure lock-in binds the OWNER too — one-sided lock-ins (you locked, owner free to evict) are the classic trap.

  4. 4

    Notice period

    Commonly 1–3 months on either side. Mark the last legal day to give notice on your phone the day you move in — forgetting this deadline is how deposits die. Use the countdown tool below.

  5. 5

    Rent + escalation clause

    Annual increase buried in fine print is commonly 5–10% (10% typical). A ₹20,000 rent at 10% becomes ₹22,000 → ₹24,200 → ₹26,620 by year 4. Project it before signing multi-year stays.

  6. 6

    Security deposit

    Refundable amount + EXACT refund conditions + timeline (commonly adjusted in final month or returned in 15–30 days). Get in writing what gets deducted (painting? cleaning?) — 'normal wear and tear' should NOT be charged.

  7. 7

    Maintenance: who pays what

    Society maintenance, water, electricity, gas, repairs split must be named line by line. Rule of thumb seen widely: structural/landlord repairs = owner; daily upkeep = tenant — but only the written split counts.

  8. 8

    Brokerage

    Commonly one month's rent, usually split or paid by whoever engaged the broker — but only if agreed upfront. Never pay brokerage before the agreement is signed and keys discussed.

  9. 9

    Furnishing inventory

    Furnished/semi-furnished must list EVERY item with condition + photos attached to the agreement. Unlisted items become 'damaged by tenant' at exit. Semi-furnished usually = wardrobes + basic appliances; confirm, don't assume.

  10. 10

    Termination, subletting & police verification

    Subletting without written permission can void your tenancy. Police tenant verification is the landlord's duty in Maharashtra and required/advisable in UP, Punjab, Delhi — an owner who discourages it is a red flag by itself.

Red flags: walk away or fix in writing

  • Verbal promises ('painting karwa dunga') NOT written into the agreement — unenforceable later.
  • Blank signed pages or 'sign now, details later' — never.
  • Owner can't show ownership proof (sale deed / tax receipt / society share certificate).
  • Cash-only rent with no receipts — kills your HRA claim and your TDS proof trail.
  • One-sided lock-in: you're locked 11 months, owner can exit with 1-month notice.
  • Hidden 10% yearly escalation you spotted only on page 7.
  • Deposit refund terms missing timelines ('will adjust later' = never).
  • No police verification process started — legitimate owners comply in days.

Agreement & rights questions

Lock-in period kya hota hai? / What is lock-in period?
Minimum stay both sides commit to (commonly 6–11 months). Exit inside lock-in usually costs deposit or lock-in rent. Ensure it binds the OWNER equally — one-sided lock-ins are the classic trap.
Notice period kab se gine? / How is notice period counted?
Commonly 1–3 months from written notice by either side (if the agreement is silent, law defaults to 15 days). Mark the last legal notice day on your phone on move-in day. Use the countdown tool — most deposit deaths are missed-notice deaths.
Escalation clause kitna normal hai? / What escalation is normal?
5–10% yearly is typical (10% common). ₹20,000 at 10% → ₹26,620 by year 4. For multi-year stays, negotiate a cap or fixed-step escalation before signing.
Maintenance kaun dega? / Who pays maintenance?
Only the written split counts. Common pattern: structural/owner repairs = owner, daily upkeep + utilities = tenant. Get society maintenance, water, power, gas named line by line.
Brokerage kitni? / How much brokerage?
Commonly one month's rent, paid by whoever engaged the broker — agreed UPFRONT. Never pay before the agreement is signed.
Furnished me kya check karu? / What to check in a furnished flat?
Item-wise inventory with condition + photos ATTACHED to the agreement. Unlisted items become 'tenant-damaged' at exit. Semi-furnished usually = wardrobes + basic appliances — confirm, don't assume.
Subletting allowed hai? / Can I sublet or add a flatmate?
Only with written owner permission. Silent subletting can void your tenancy and kill deposit + HRA proof. Get flatmate additions endorsed in writing.
Agreement me police verification clause? / Police verification in the agreement?
Landlord's duty in Maharashtra; required/advisable in UP, Punjab, Delhi. An owner who discourages verification is itself a red flag. Registration ≠ police verification — both needed.
Deposit wapas nahi de raha? / Landlord not returning deposit?
Written demand quoting agreement clause + refund timeline first. Then: society/association mediation → legal notice → consumer forum/rent authority. Photo inventory from move-in day is what wins these fights.
Bina notice nikal sakta hai malik? / Can the owner evict without notice?
No — eviction needs the notice period in the agreement, and forced lockout/utility-cutting is illegal. Only a court order evicts. Document everything, don't vacate under threats.
Bijli-pani kaat diya to? / Utilities cut by landlord?
Illegal pressure tactic. Complain in writing, pay undisputed dues yourself if needed to restore, and keep records for the deposit/claim fight. Essential services can't be weaponized.
Painting/cleaning deposit se kaat sakta hai? / Can painting be cut from deposit?
Only if the agreement says so. 'Normal wear and tear' is NOT chargeable — get that phrase into the agreement at signing. Move-in/move-out photos decide the rest.
Rent badhane se mana kar sakte hai? / Can I refuse a mid-term rent hike?
Yes, if the agreement fixes rent for the term — mid-term hikes need your written consent (or an escalation clause already in the agreement). Paying 'temporarily' without writing sets a precedent.
Agreement khatam, ghar khali nahi kiya to? / Overstaying after expiry?
You become a litigious holdover: owner can claim market-rate damages (2×–4× monthly rent in Model Tenancy states) and evict via court. Renew in writing BEFORE expiry — even a one-page extension beats overstay.
Society tenant se bhedbhav kare to? / Society discriminating against tenants?
Tenants have usage rights to common facilities; societies can't ban tenants from lifts/parks or charge discriminatory mover fees beyond bylaws. Escalate via registrar of societies with written complaints.
Rent receipt nahi de raha malik? / Landlord won't give rent receipts?
Bank transfers ARE proof (never pay cash without receipt). For HRA you need receipts + agreement + landlord PAN above ₹1L/yr. Switch to bank transfer today; back-fill a written rent statement signed by the landlord.

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